The second general elections during the presidency of Pervez Musharraf will be taking place within a few next days. On one hand MMA has boycotted the elections and on the other hand JUI-F, PPP, PML-N and other parties are participating in it. These parties are contesting the election but are raising hue and cry in regard to polls rigging. Both PPP and PML-N have filed over 1000 applications with election commission exposing alleged plans of rigging .Evidences have been provided to the election commission to the effect that PML-Q the former ruling party was planning to rig the polls in connivance with the caretaker government.
How the election commission reacts to such allegations will be evident from the interview taken from secretary Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad which runs as:
Q: Upto what extent the preparations for upcoming general elections have been made by election commission.
A: Election Commission (EC) has finalized its preparations with respect to the elections taking place on February 18. These elections will be held on time. EC have taken special measures to ensure fairness and transparency in the elections. The computerized electoral lists have been evolved which are available at the website of EC. Even certain developed countries have not developed such websites where from voters could check and obtain their names and vote No. Computerized electoral lists have been placed on web sites with the help of political parties. Million of voters have registered themselves through websites. EC has made all the necessary arrangements and the polling staff which runs into over half a million had completed its training.
Q: Some political parties are alleging EC have set up ghost polling stations to ensure success for PML-Q.
A: Such allegations are unfounded and baseless. Through Online, I want to inform the people and the political parties that EC has established over 64174 polling stations across the country. The details of these stations have been placed on websites. This way the accusations brought by these political parties about ghost polling stations have no substance.
Q: Ballot papers are of paramount significance on polling day. What steps have been taken by the EC to stop misplacement or misuse of these papers. When these papers will reach the polling stations.
A: EC has completed the printing work of the ballot papers. These are being dispatched to polling stations from February, 10 and are also being sent to district returning officers. This work will be completed by February, 16. Ballot papers will reach the polling stations a day before the election. EC has got the ballot papers printed on a specific paper to ensure transparency in the elections and this paper is not available in the market; Counting of these papers will be carried out and every returning officer will keep record of these papers. The list these ballot papers will be provided to the polling agents. A good number of international media and observers will be present on polling stations on polling day..Therefore any question of rigging stands ruled out in the wake of these arrangements.
Q: Opposition parties have blamed EC will hand over 15000 ballot papers to each candidate of PML-Q to ensure their success in the elections.
A: February 18 elections are not what were Elections-1954. They are 2008 elections and election commission has computerized all the arrangements in this respect so that no one could dispute them. Formal record of ballot papers will be maintained and no one will be able to manipulate this record. Stern action will be initiated if some one is found involved in such irregularities at any station.
Q: Please give us details of the complaints lodged by PML-N and PPP with reference to rigging and action taken by you in this respect.
A: Overall 1500 complaints have been filed with election commission so far and these have been referred to the concerned returning officers for appropriate action. As per information available with us majority of these complaints have proved false. This is routine matter that political people go on lodging such complaints and even then EC is taking action on them.
Q: How many foreign observers are coming to Pakistan to monitor these elections and what facilities will be provided to them.
A; As per reports received so far over 2000 international observers are coming to Pakistan to monitor the elections The number of national and foreign media men stands at 350. EC will ensure all possible facilities for the international observers.
Q: How many polling stations have been declared sensitive during the general elections and what precautionary measures have been taken.
A: About one third polling stations out of 64174 are sensitive and army and rangers are being deployed there in the light of proposals of provincial government. All possible security measures have been taken to avert any untoward incident on February, 18. Government has also directed law enforcement agencies to make all preparations to meet any eventuality and those found disrupting the electoral process be dealt with iron hand.
